If signed it would create wholesale exemptions for people and organizations who claim religious objections to same-sex marriage, premarital sex, abortion, Trans identity.

A leaked copy of a draft executive order titled “Establishing a Government-Wide Initiative to Respect Religious Freedom,” obtained by The Investigative Fund and The Nation, reveals sweeping plans by the Trump administration to legalize discrimination.

The four-page draft order, a copy of which is currently circulating among federal staff and advocacy organizations, construes religious organizations so broadly that it covers “any organization, including closely held for-profit corporations,” and protects “religious freedom” in every walk of life: “when providing social services, education, or healthcare; earning a living, seeking a job, or employing others; receiving government grants or contracts; or otherwise participating in the marketplace, the public square, or interfacing with Federal, State or local governments.”

The draft order seeks to create wholesale exemptions for people and organizations who claim religious or moral objections to same-sex marriage, premarital sex, abortion, and trans identity, and it seeks to curtail women’s access to contraception and abortion through the Affordable Care Act. The White House did not respond to requests for comment, but when asked Monday about whether a religious freedom executive order was in the works, White House spokesman Sean Spicer told reporters, “I’m not getting ahead of the executive orders that we may or may not issue. There is a lot of executive orders, a lot of things that the president has talked about and will continue to fulfill, but we have nothing on that front now.”

For more on this see the article in The Nation HERE. This article contains a copy of the leaked draft order.

Today we received a urgent e-mail if you can join with this call please do so.

Dear friends,

Today, President Trump may announce a new Executive Order that could legalize blanket discrimination against LGBTQ people under the guise of “religious liberty.”

Please join Bend the Arc Jewish Action, in partnership with Faith in Public Life and Keshet today for an Emergency Faith Briefing call at 4pm EST on Thursday 2/2.

We will be joined by prominent legal experts from Lambda Legal and Americans United for Separation of Church and State who can answer your questions.

And since Trump’s new Executive Order could come under the guise of ‘religious liberty’ or ‘defending the first amendment,’ we’ll also be joined by message experts who can share advice on the best ways to respond.

America is rooted in our ability to come together. Executive Orders and laws that divide us only weaken our nation. Let’s make sure our communities stand up for all of us.